Grain drill



Jan. 23, 1934. J. SCHAEFFER 1,944,672

GRAIN DRILL Filed Aug. '1o 1927 4 sheets-sheet' 1- Jan. 23, 1934. J. scHAEFFER .1,944,672

' I GRAN ILL l A Filed Aug. 1o, 1927 l4 sheets-sheet s Jan. 23, 1934.v J. scHAEFl-'ER 15944672 GRAIN DRILL Filed Aug. 1o, 19247. 4 Sheetssheet 4 Ey f/////////// :I

Ill:

Patented Jan. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES GRAIN DRILL John Schaeffer, Horicon, Wis., assignor `to The Van Brunt Manufacturing Company, Horicon, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application August-10, 1927. Serial No. 212,015

24 Claims. (Cl. 111-67) The present invention relates to grain drills and has particular reference to improvements in the driving mechanism which is usually employed in these implements for operating the grain feeding devices. Such type of driving mechanism employs the traction power of the implement for driving the grain feeding devices at any one of several speeds, depending upon the desired rate of feed of the seed in the drilling operation.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a selective speed driving mechanism of this general type in which a large number of speed changes is aiiorded; in which the change from one speed to another can be quickly and easily performed; in which improved means is provided for positively holding the speed selecting gears in proper operative position after an adjustment thereof; and in which a durable, inexpensive construction is obtained wherein the operating parts are so arranged as to reduce wear to a minimum.

The present driving mechanism comprises as one of its change speed adjustments an intermediate gear unit, which, by its transposition or reversal, increases the number of speeds available for selection. In this regard, it is a'further object of the invention to provide an improved construction of mounting bracket for such intermediate gear unit which will permit of the ready removal of the gear unit to effect the above transposition or reversal thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of driving mechanism which will function automatically to prevent reverse movement of the grain feed devices when the grain drill is moved backwardly.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of driving mechanism which will automatically interrupt the operation of the grain feed devices when the furrow openers are raised from the ground, thus automatically arresting the feed of seed when the implement is being turned at the end of the field or is traveling to or from the eld.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof. In the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of one end of the grain drill, as viewed from the rear.

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical section taken approximately on the plane of the line Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an axial sectional view through the speed selecting gearing, taken on the plane of line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the operating parts of the speed selecting gearing in elevation.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the intermediate gear unit taken 'on the plane of the 65 line 6,-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a similar view, showing the intermediate gear unit reversed;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 8--8 of 10 Figure 5 for the purpose of illustrating he shifting member and latch lever of the speed self :ting gear, and

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. 2.

'Ihe implement comprises the usual grain box 11 and axle 12 on which the side wheels 13 are mounted. One or both of the side wheels has driving connection with the main axle, and the traction power of such wheel or wheels is transmitted from this axle through the selective speed driving mechanism to a grain feed shaft 14 which extends along the under side of the feed box 11. Mounted on the feed shaft 14, so as to be driven thereby, are the several grain feeding devices 15 which govern the rate of feed of the seed from the box 11 down to the seed boots or spouts 16. A flexible grain tube 17 connects each feeding device 15 with its individual boot or spout 16, so as to permit upward swinging movement of the latter. One of such feeding devices 15 and boots 16 are usually associated with each furrow opener 18. I have shown these furrow openers as being of the disc type, but, as is well known, other 9,12; types of furrow openers are often employed on these drills, the present invention not being concerned with suchfurrow openers.

Each of the furrow openers is pivotally mounted on the lower end of an individual V-shaped 100 frame 19, which has swinging support at its front end on a frontangle bar 21, the pivots 22 (Figure 2) representing the pivotal attachment of the front end of this frame to the angle bar 21. Each frame 19 functions as a pivoted drag link 105 for compelling forward movement of the furrow opener with the machine. When the drill is operating in the field each furrow opener is pressed down into the ground by an individual pressure rod 23 which is pivotally connected at its lower 11| end to the bracket member on which the furrow opener is supported. The upper end of such rod is guided in a collar 24, slidably mounted thereon, which collar has trunnion mounting in the forked end of a pressure arm 25 extending from a rock shaft 26. A compression spring 27 is confined on the rod 23 below the collar 24, and normally tends to press the furrow opener down into theground to a depth depending upon the setting of the arm 25. A\suitable projection 28 is usually provided on the upper end of the rod 23 to be engaged b y the collar 24 for swinging the furrow opener up out of the ground, through the medium of the rod 23, when the arm 25 is swung upwardly. The

Shaft 26 is preferably of square cross section, and

the hubs of the arms 25 have square openings therein for engaging over this shaft. A suitable A adjusting lever is usually connected to the shaft 26 for 'rocking the same and thereby raising the furrow openers out of the ground, or adjusting their depth of penetration in the ground.

The front frame bar 21 extends transversely across the entire width of ,the machine and hasl end portions 31 which extend rearwardly under the grain box l1. As will be observed from Figure 4, the rear end of each end portion 31 is bolted at 32 to an end plate or supporting member 33 which is secured to the end of the grain box and which constitutes part of the supporting frame of the machine. Said frame member 33 has outwardly extending flanges 34 at its lower end which seat on the upper flanges of the side bar portions 31, the bolts 32 passing through both of said flanges.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that there isbolted or riveted to the outer side of the side bar portions 31 a bearing hub 35. Rotating within this bearing hub is a skein or spindle sleeve 36 through which the axle 12 extends. The hub 3'? of the wheel 13 is rigidly secured on a .tapered outer surface of the sleeve 36 through a clamping nut 38. The sleeve, in turn, is rigidly connected to the axle 12 by a bolt 39 passing diametrically through the end portions of the sleeve and axle.

In the preferred practice each side wheel 13 drives the grain feeding devices on its side of the implement, and in such-'case axle 12 is usually divided in the center of the machine into two coaxial sections. It will, of course, .be understood, however, that the drive'of all of the grain feeding devices may be effected from one wheel, in which case the axle would be a through axle, with the other wheel idly rotating thereon. I shall describe the preferred construction, and in such construction it will be understood that there are two selective speed driving mechanisms, one at each side of the machine and connecting its indi- .vidual axle section with thegrain feed shaft 14,

the latter also being divided in the center of the machine into two coaxial sections. Inasmuch as the two selective speed drivingmechanisms are duplicates, it will only be necessary to describe one of such mechanisms.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that there is mounted on the axle 12 at the inner end of the bearing sleeve 36 a sleeve 41 which is spaced from the bearing sleeve by a thrust washer 42. 'I'he sleeve 41 is freely rotatable on the axle. 12. Said sleeve constitutes the hub of a series of stepped gears of graduated diameters, \which Vseries of gears I have chosen to refer to as a compound cone gear, and have designated the same 43 in its entirety. Five ofsuch stepped gears 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48 are shown as composing the compound cone gear, although it will be evident i cone gear through an intermediate gear unitl (to be hereinafter described) to the grain feed shaft 14. The smallest gear 44 of the cone series is preferably formed integral with the inner end of the sleeve 41, the other cone gears, and also the wide faced spur gear 49, being slipped over the other end of the sleeve 41 and pushed up against the small end of gear 44 to form a solid bank of gears. The outer surface of the sleeve 41 is preferably of square proilleand the several gears assembled thereon have square openings for securingv these gears non-rotatably on the sleeve. Any suitable key means 51 may be provided for holding the wide faced spur gear 49 on the sleeve, and thus holding the entire series f gears thereon. It should be noted that the construction described permits the removal and substitution of any gear unit of the series, independently of the other units, so that in the event of damage to one of the gear units it is not necessary to replace the entire cone. The several gears making up the cone are of the bevel type for cooperation with a shiftable speed selecting gear which I shall presently describe. a Suitably keyed to the axle 12 at the inner end of the compound cone gear is a sleeve or collar 52 on the outer end of which is formed a gear 53. Meshing with such gear is a gear 54 mounted on v a countershaft 55 which is disposed over the com- 110 pound cone gear and extends diagonally upward and in parallelism to the conical face of said cone gear.- The gears 53 and 54 are bevelled to accommodate the inclination of the countershaft 55. Said shaft is of square cross section, and has its ends secured in bearing bushings 56 which have rotatable mounting in the arms 57 of a U-shaped hanger or frame member 58. Slidably mounted on the countershaft and rotating therewith is a speed selecting gear 59 which is adapted for selec- 120 tive engagement with any one of the several gears 44 to 48 inclusive. The U-shaped hanger or frame member 58 is adapted to have swinging movement towards and away from the compound cone gear in order that the selecting gear 59 can have the aforesaid shifting movement, andl to -this end the frame member is provided with two forwardly extending arms 60-60' having hubs at their outer ends which have rotatable support on the rock shaft 26 (Figure 5). The 130 hubs at the ends of such arms have circular openings therein for rotating on the square shaft 26, the latter merely serving as a mounting for the frame member, whereby the frame and the countershaft supported thereby are capable of swinging movement about the axis of shaft26, towards and away from the compound cone gear.

The speed selecting gear-59 is bevelled correspondingly to the bevel of the change speed gears 44--48, and the width of the selecting gear is slightly less than the width of any one of the change speed gears so that the selecting gear will only mesh with one of the latter gears. The hub of the gear 59, which has a square opening therein'engaging over the square countershaft 13.."

.said shifter member is of box-like cross section to embrace an upstanding flange 64 which extends 353 lhanger frame.

along the front edge of the swinging frame member 58, said flange forming a guide for sliding movement of the shifter member along the frame member.v Formed in the flange 64 is a plurality of notches 65, corresponding in spacing to thecone gears 44-48. Pivoted at 66 on the shifter member is a latch lever 67 having a projecting nose adapted to engage in the notches 65. A compression spring 68 is confined between a fingerpiece 69 projecting up from the latch lever, and a ngerpiece 71 projecting up from the shifter member, said spring serving normally to hold the latch lever in locking engagement in the notches 65. It will be evident that by merely squeezing the ngerpieces 69 and 71 together the latch lever will be released for permitting the speed selecting gear to be shifted on the countershaft 55. The reengagement of the latch lever will positively hold the gear 59 in mesh with any selected one of the gears 44-48. Such shifting of the speed selecting gear usually requires the upward swinging of the frame 58 to clear the teeth of the selecting gear from the teeth of the cone gears. When the frame is swung down again to engage the gear 59 in the compound cone gear the frame is held in such operative position through the instrumentality of a hook-shaped latch or lock member 72 (Figure 2) which engages over a lug 73 projecting from the inner end of the The latch 72 is carried on a collar 74 which is rotatably supported in a groove 75 formed in the driving sleeve 52.l The collar consists of two semi-circular sections which are bolted together over the sleeve, and extending forwardly from one of said sections is a releasing handle 74' through which the latch 72 can be rocked into and out of locking position. A spring 76 is also employed for returning the swinging frame to operative position and for holding the frame in such position, this spring hooking at one end to a lug 58' projecting upwardly from the frame. The rear end of the spring connects to a bolt 77 having adjustable, wing nut mounting in a bracket 78 extending down from the grain box l1, the adjustability of the bolt 77 permitting the adjustment of the tension of the spring 76. Extending from the rotatable latch collar 74 is a laterally spaced pair of lugs 79.-79 which embrace the sides of the adjacent arm 60. Referring to Fig. 9, it will be. seen that the under side of the arm has a relatively thin web, and that the two lugs 79 extend up from the collar 74 on opposite sides of the web. This construction insures that the U-shaped hanger or frame member 58 will always beheld against shifting longitudinally along the rock shaft 26, and also compels proper lateral registration between the set of cone gears and the gear 54 and countershaft 55. Referring again to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the front edges of the lugs 79 are sloped to serve as cam surfaces, which, upon the upward unlatching movement of the handle 74', move under the adjacent bearing end 57 of the hanger' frame, thereby positively camming the frame upwardly in its swinging movement against the tension of the spring 76 in order to release the selecting gear 59 from the cone gear for shifting movement. The parts are so proportioned that when the tip ends of the cam lugs 79 have passed slightly beyond the high point on the under side of the hub 57, the curved shank portion of the handle 74' strikes the under side of the rock shaft 26. At this time the pressure of the spring 76, tending to swing the hanger frame downwardly, forces the hub portion 57 against the back sides of the cam lugs 'and holds the handle shank pressed upwardly against the square shaft 26, thus locking the latch collar and handle in gear releasing position. The return movement of the handle 74' revolves the cam lugs 79 out from under the end of the hanger frame and reengages the latch 72 with the lock 73, the lugs 79 remaining, however, on opposite sides of the arm 60. It will be observed from Figure 2 that the normal rotation of the driving sleeve 52, corresponding to the forward travel of the implement, tends to revolve the collar correspondingly and thus holds the latch 72 pressed into locking engagement with the detent lug 73. As shown in Figure 3, the driving sleeve 52 is formed with a bearing collar or flange 81 at the inner end of the bevel gear 53, and on the same side of the cooperating bevel gear 54 is formed a similar collar or flange 82. These flanges have rolling bearing contact, one upon the other, when the swinging frame is moved down to operative position, and such bearing surfaces sustain the pressure of the spring tending to swing the frame downwardly, thus preventing the bevel gears 53 and 54 from having to carry this pressure of the springs.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that in the forward travel of the implement the axle 12 will drive the sleeve 52, and through the gears 53 and 54 will drive the countershaft 55. The rotation of the countershaft will drive the speed selecting gear 59, which will transmit a drive to the compound cone gear43 in a speed ratio depending upon which gear of the cone gear set the speed selecting gear4 is in operating .after refer to the axle shaft 12 as the driving shaft orf the transmission mechanism since it is from this shaft that the operating power for the grain feeding devices is derived. I shall also refer to the grain feed shaft 14 as the driven shaft of the mechanism.

The rotation of the wide faced spur gear 49 is transmitted to the grain feed shaft 14 through an intermediate gear unit 84. The latter meshes with a spur gear 85, which., as shown in Figures 6 and 7, has a relatively long hub 86 journaled in a bearing boss 87 extending inwardly from the end plate 33. The hub 86 has a square opening therein for receiving the end of the grain feed shaft 14. The intermediate gear 84 consists of a large spur gear 88 and a small spur gear 89, both cast integral as a double-gear unit.

Such unit is rotatably supported between the arms 91--91' of a detachable bracket 92, the pivot axis of the gear consisting of abolt 93 which extends through both of said arms. A spacing sleeve 94 of slightly longer length than the hub of the gear unit 84 surrounds the, bolt so that the latter can be screwed up tight in its mountings in the arms without binding the gear unit 84, the latter rotating freely on the sleeve 94.

Two pairs of holes 95-95' are provided in the arms 91-91' for mounting the pivot bolt 93 in different positions. The holes in one of` the arms or bracket sections are threaded for receiving the threaded end of the bolt. By reversing the gear unit 84 to place either the large gear sa ortho small gear a9 in mesh with the of the lus 102. thereby permifttins flle bllntg feed shaft gear 85 another speed variation is be Withdrawn rearwrdiyk Omd ete edateaiforded. Thus, in Figure 6, the smal geai;1 8&1); his 'gli eggg'ae grfnitd bgct r11-5e :llerlrml'nr side ialrgregaiivghistlilr ieeesclli lilfitigiavlviefaa; spu portion 91 of the bracket, which has connection gear 49. In such arrangement, the intermediate with. the machine merely through a Seul-Circuar gear unit affords a considerable speed reduction bearing portion 104 which embraces e un e in transmitting the rotation of the gear 49 to the side of a bearing collar 105 secured to the fee gear 85. By reversing the intermediate gear unit shaft lgisee Figures 2 and 5) as shown in Figure 7, to place the large gear The brackethis normally heldinits downwardly portion 88 thereof in mesh with the feed shaft revolved position with the intermediate gear 111n gear 85, the intermediate gear unit becomes a mesh with the wide face gear 49, throughht le mere idler gear and leaves the speed ratio of pressure of a stiff compression .spnng 106 w ic the two gears 49 and 85 in the proportion of bears against a. lug 107 proJecting -from a guard the diameters of such gears. The reversible portion 108. .This guard portion is formed incharacteristic of the intermediate gear uint doutegral with .the bracket member 91 and embraces bles the total number of speed selections afthe upper side of the gear 88. The upper end of forded by the variable speed gearing 43--59,- i e. the spring 106 bears against a lug 109 proJecting when the intermediaie gearlunit is in he positgn/"glownwlrdlly finia'illoicciieli;i i. sriileis oil shown in Fi e 6, ve sow spee s are p ain x vided, and glen 1,the int-.ergiediate'7 gear ui'it iZis to tllie girdbpoitgn asleliges da algidi; tg in the osition s own in' igure ve as revo ve e a t speeds alie provided. vIn reversing or transposi'ng fastening member adapted to engage over a hook the intermediate gear unit hfrom the. position 113 on the'upperbracket 111 to hold the gear shown in Figure 6 t0 the position shown 1n Figure carrying bracket in its upwardly revolved posi- '7 the pivot bolt 93 is removed and replaced in the tion, against the pressure of the spring 106. pair 0f h01eS 95 t0 Permit the large gear portlon When the gear carrying bracket is held .in this 88 to mesh with the feed shaft gear 85. It will upper position, the intermediate gear unit 84 is be noted that in either adjustment the large gear out of mesh with the wide face spur gear 49, portion 88 of the intermediate unit meshes with anden such position of the bracket the interthe gear 49, the relatively wide face thereof acmediabe gear unit can be readily reversed, as comodatingdhis reversal ofzthehinermediaie unit. 1:bliforetlescrbetd. If morte coiveninit: aiaiss to The bracket or carrier 9 w ic suppor s sai e in rme ia e gear uni is esire or s reintermediate unit is so colrlistructed and mounted versing oransposiinogplertionhe bralliet iilild on the im lement that it as swinging movemen gear can remove y rom e mac 'ne, e about thepaxis of 'the grain feed shaft 14, and spring 106 being first removed from the lugs 107- it is also detachable in its entirety from the im- 109 preparatory to the removal of the bracket. plement, carrying tthe inteirlmediathgeaor uliil, 131; wlllt bertnogl thaffl gg@ tngggenen 8?; th therewith. The fea ure o aving e rac e rac e p0 len W1 e earmg oss an free to revolve about'the axis of the shaft 14 'the engagement of the bracket portion 91 with 115 permits the intermediate gear to swing clear of the bearing collar 105, afford two spaced points the wide face Spur gear 49 fOr irliielrupilrlg the of support for the intermediate gear unit, simidrive, either' when the furrow openers are raised, larly to a yoke mounting thereof, or when the implement is pushed backwardly, aS Fixedly mounted on the rock shaft 26 by a set I shall presently describe. '.Ihe. feature of havscrew 115 is an upwardly extending arm 116.120 ing the bracket removable 1n liiS entirety from The inner side of this arm is adapted to engage the implement facilitates the .operationof reverswith a finger or arm 117 which ex'vends foring the intermediate gear 11u11? 34, although Such wardly from the bracket member 91. The rocker reversal can be effectled without removing the antls so st angilalh on thrile siait 1216 that the; 125 bracket from the imp einen s a. can e roc e roug is u range o Referring t0 Figure 4, the arm 0I' Side DON/i011 depth adjusting movement, incident to the depth 91 of the bracket iS Provided With a Circular 11111)- adjustments of the furrow openers, without causward portion 97 in Which iS formed e diagmla Y ing engagement of the arms 116 and 117, but extending slot 98. The Slot 98 iS adapted 00 Slip when the shaft 26 is rocked sufficiently to lift the over the outside of the bearing bOSS 87 Which furrow openers clear of the ground the arm 116 130 projects inwardly from the front frame Plate 33. forces the bracket 92 to revolve-upwardly against Two guide lugs 99 and 101 project inwardly from the pressurenof the spring 106, thereby causing the frame plate and are adapted to abut agai.r i st the in ermediate gear unit to move out of mesh the outerside of the bracket portion 97 for holding hfliirrvlggelflf; llligl'lite ig-thie-Ilrllfoifvir 135 me u ri ht. An arcuate lug 102 also prolcetssnwarlygfrom the frame plate 33 Opposite t0 permit turning Of the machine, 0r When to me normal position of the sioi 98,' this lug they arelifted t0 permit travel of the machine to having a curvature conforming to an are drawn and from the field, the driving train between the driving and driven shafts 12 and 14 is automati- With the axis of feed shaft 14 as a center. u d. t d Th 1d b1 t f As best shown in Figures 4, 6 and '7, extending ca 5.' lsconnc e e we a e engagemen .o 140 k t rt. the intermediate gear 88 in the teeth of the driv- Ou'wardly fmm th? face of the brac e po um ing gear 49 also allows `the intermediate gear to 97 1S 'a oopera'tmg lug, 103 Whlch normally functiony as a ratchet when the implement is bears agamst the curve@ Inner ffice. of the sta' moved rearwardly, preventing reverse driving of tionenI lug 102- It Will be @Vide-nt that the the grain feed shaft 14. 'Ihe resistance of the 145 engagement 0f these two lugs normally Prevents feed wheels in the grain feedingv devices 15 is the bracket frfm Slipping bdowvary andlutsufhcient to overcome the pressure of the spring Wardly Off 0f he bearing OSS .V leVO ving 106 in the backward movement of the implement, the bracket in a couner-clockwise direction the teeth of the gear 49 forcing the intermediate (Figure 4) the lug 103 will clear the upper end gear 88 backwardly and slipping past the teeth 150 of the latter. In the forward travel of the implement the rotation vof the gear 49 tends to cam or force the intermediate gear inwardly into effective mesh with the gear 49.

It is believed that the general operation of the driving mechanism will beV clearly understood from the preceding description of the several parts A ment with different portions of said cone gear, a

thereof.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a grain drill, the combination of a grain feeding shaft, adriving shaft, and selective speed transmission mechanism operatively connecting said shafts and comprising a compound cone gear,

a shiftable speed selecting gear adapted to be placed in operative mesh with said cone gear at different points along its length, the axis ofthe cone gear being at an angle to the axis of. said speed selecting gear so that said axes are in the same relative position in all adjusted positions of the speed selecting gear, means for driving said speed selecting gear from said driving shaft, and meansI for driving saidgrain feeding shaft from said cone gear including a pair of interconnected gear members at one end of the cone gear.

2. In a grain drill, the combination of a grain feed shaft, a driving shaft, and selective speed transmission mechanism operatively connecting said shafts, comprising a compound cone gear rotatable relative to said driving shaft, a speed selecting gear adapted to be optionally placed in operative mesh with said cone gear at any one of a number of different points along its length, means for establishing driving and driven connections for the cone gear at opposite ends thereof, and means for separating the connections at both ends of the cone gear for interrupting the drive to the grain feed shaft.

3. In a grain drill, the combination with a grain feed shaft anda rotating axle, of a compound cone gear rotatable relative to said axle, a slidably mounted speed selecting gear adapted to have operative mesh with said cone gear at different points along its'length to drive the same at variable speed for driving the speed selecting gear from said axle, and means for separating said driving means and said speed selecting gear from the gears associated respectively therewith for interrupting the drive to the grain feed shaft.

4. In a grain drill, the combination of a grain feedshaft, a driving shaft, and selective speed transmission mechanism operatively connecting said shafts comprising a cone gear unit composed of a plurality of bevel gears supported at least in part on the driving shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, a gear unit adapted to have selective engagen ent with different gears of said cone gear unit, the gear unit being driven by said driving shaft, and means for driving said grain feed shaft from the other of said gear units and including a gear member mounted for rotation on the driving shaft.

5f. In a grain drill, the combination of a grain feed shaft, a driving shaft, and selective speed transmission mechanism operatively connecting said shafts comprising a compound cone gear, a countershaft extending substantially parallel with the face of said cone gear, a speed selecting gear shiftable along said countershaft for selective engagement with different portions of said cone gear, and a frame in which said countershaft is journaled, said frame having swinging movement around an axis separate from the axes of said grain feed shaft and said driving shaft.

t said frame having swinging movement to carry 3. In a grain drill. the combination of a grain feed shaft, a driving shaft, and selective speed transmission mechanism operatively connecting said shafts comprising a compound cone gear, a countershaft inclined substantially parallel with the face of said cone gear, a shiftable gear on said countershaft adapted for selective engageframe in which said countershaft is journaled, 8B said shiftable gear into and out of operative mesh with said cone gear, a shifter member having a fork engaging with a groove in said shiftable gear, .a latch lever carried by said shifter member and adapted to engage with said frame to hold said shiftable gear in its diiferentvspeed selecting'positions. means for driving said speed selecting gear from said driving shaft, and means for driving said grain feed shaft from said cone gear.

7. In a grain drill, the combination of a grain feed shaft, a driving shaft, and selective speed transmission mechanism operatively connecting said shafts comprising a compound cone gear, a countershaft, a gear shiftable along said countershaft for selective engagement with different portions of said cone gear, a frame in which said countershaft is journaled, said frame having swinging movement to carry said shiftable gear into and out of operative mesh with said cone gear, and cam means for swinging said frarse to separate said gears.

8. In a grain drill, the combination of a grain feed shaft a driving shaft, and selective speed transmission mechanism operatively connecting ll said shafts comprising a compound cone gear,

a countershaft, a gear shiftable along said countershaft for selective engagement with diiferent diameters of said cone gear, a frame in which said countershaft is journaled, said frame having swinging movement to carry said shiftable gear into and out of operative mesh with said cone gear, spring means tending to swing said frame into operative position, latch means for locking said frame in operative position, and cam means coopating with said latch means and operative upon the release of the latter to swing said frame to its inoperative position.

9. In an implement of the class described, the combination with a grain feed shaft and an axle, of a compound cone gear mounted on said axle and rotatable relatively thereto, a countershaft extending longitudinally of said cone gear, cooperating gears on said axle and on said countershaft for driving the latter from said axle, a gear shiftable along said countershaft for selective engagement with different portions of said cone gear, a spur gear driven by said cone gear, a driven gear on said grain feed shaft, and an intermediate gear meshing with said spur and driven gears.

10. In a grain drill, the combination of a grain feed shaft and a driving axle, of a 'compound cone gear mounted on said axle and rotatable relatively thereto, a countershaft extending longitudinally of said cone gear, a gear secured to said axle, a cooperating gear secured to said countershaft and meshing with said latter gear,

a speed selecting gear shiftable on said countershaft for selective engagement with different diameters of said cone gear, a frame in which said countershaft is journaled, said frame having swinging movement to carry said speed selecting gear into and out of operative mesh with said cone gear, means operating to hold said frame 'in its operativev position, and annular bearing surfaces carried by said axle and said lcountershaft having rolling contact with each other when said frame is in its operative position.`

relatively to said driving shaft, a speed selecting gear adapted to have operative mesh with different portions of said cone gear, a driven gear Aon said grain feed shaft. and means including an adjustable intermediate gear for operatively connecting said cone gear with said driven gear.

12. In a grain drill, the combination with a grain feed shaft and a driving shaft, of driving mechanism for connecting said shafts comprising a driven gear operatively connected with said grain feed shaft, a driving gear operatively connected with said driving shaft, intermediate gear means adapted to mesh with said driving and driven gears, a bracket carrying said intermediate gear means, and means for locking said bracket to said grain drill including cooperative lug means on the drill and on the bracket and so angularly related with respect to one another that the bracket may be detached by rotative movement thereof.

13. In a grain drill, the combination with a grain feed shaftband a driving shaft, of driving mechanism for connecting said shafts comprising a driven gear operatively connected with said grain feed shaft, a driving gear operatively connected with said driving shaft, intermediate gear means adapted to mesh with said driving and' driven gears, a bracket carrying said intermediate gear means, means for interlocking said bracket in operative position, said interlocking means comprising cooperating lugs adapted to be mutually engaged when the bracket is angularly moved to upward position and to be released by rotative movement of said bracket in the otherdirection, and spring means normally tending to rotate said bracket in' the opposite direction.

14. In a grain drill, the combination with a grain feed shaft and a driving shaft, of driving mechanism for connecting said shafts, comprising a driven gear operatively connected with said grain feed shaft, a driving gear operatively connected with said driving shaft, intermediate gear means adapted to mesh with said driving and driven gears, 'said intermediate gear means comprising two gear portions of different diameters adapted to be transposed for selective meshing with said driving and driven gears, a bracket carrying said intermediate gear means and having swinging movement around the axis 'of said driven gear, spring means tending to swing said bracket to its operative position. with said intermediate gear means in mesh with lsaid driving gear, and means engaging a stationary portion of the drill for holding said bracket in its inoperative position with said intermediate gear means out of mesh with said driving gear'to permit the transposing of said two gear portions.

15. In a grain drill of the class described, the combination of a rock shaft adapted to be operatively connected to the furrow openers of the drill for raising and lowering the same, a grain feed shaft, means for driving said grain feed shaft comprising two cooperating gears mounted for relative separating movement, one of said gears being capable of adjustment. means actuated by said rock shaft to separate said gears when'said furrow openers are raised to inoperative position, and means for holding `said gears in separated relation independently of the position of said rock shaft as determined'by the position of said furrow openers to permit said adjustment.

16. In a seeding machine, driving and driven shafts, a supporting bracket pivotally mounted to move about one of said shafts as a center, a reversible gear wheel supported by said bracket, gearing on said one shaft meshing with said gear wheel, gearing on the other shaft meshing with the gear wheel on the bracket, a rockshaft, a member cooperating with the bracket and rockshaft whereby when the latter is actuated said member will swing the bracket to effect the engagement or disengagement of the gear wheel carried thereby with the gearing on said one axle, and manually operated means for holding said gear wheel and gearing independently of the position of the rockshaft to permit such gear wheel to be reversed.

17. In a grain drill, the combination of'a grain feed shaft, a driving shaft, driving mechanism for connecting said shafts comprising a driven gear operatively connected with said `grain feed shaft, a driving gear operatively connected with said driving shaft, intermediate gear means op' eratively connecting said driving and driven gears, a bracket supporting said intermediate gear and including spaced apart portions detachably embracing one of said shafts, and means removably holding said bracket in place relative to said one shaft.

18. In a grain drill, the combination 0f a grain feed shaft, a driving shaft, driving mechanism for connecting said shafts comprising a driven gear operatively connected with said grain feed shaft, a driving gear operatively connected with said driving shaft, intermediate gear means operatively connecting the driving and driven gears, and a supporting bracket for said gear meansn comprising a gear carrying portion, and a pair of members embracing one of said shafts and the corresponding gear thereon. v

19. In a grain drill, the combination of a grain feed shaft, a driving shaft, and selective speed transmission mechanism operatively connecting said shafts and comprising a compound cone gear, a speed selecting gear adapted to be placed in operative mesh with said cone gear atdifferent points along itsvlength, a third gear disposed adjacent the small end of the cone gear and associated therewith and with the speed selecting gear in driving relation when the drive is transmitted from the driving shaft to the grain feed shaft, and means for separating the cone gear with respect to both the speed selecting gear and said thirdgear for interrupting the drive to the grain feed shaft.

20. In a grain drill, the combination with a grain feed shaft and a driving shaft, of driving mechanism for connecting said shafts comprisinga driven gear operativelyconnected with 14o said grain feed shaft, a driving gear operatively 'connected with said driving shaft, intermediate gear means adapted to mesh with said driving and driven gears, a bracket carrying said intermediate gear means, and means for interlocking said bracket in operative position, said interlocking means comprising cooperating lugs adapted to lbe mutually engaged and disengaged when the' bracket is moved to and from a given position.

21. In a grain drill, the combination with a grain feed shaft and 'a driving shaft, of driving mechanism for connecting said shaftszomprising a driven gear .operatively connected with said grain feed shaft, a driving gear operatively' connected with said driving shaft, intermediate gear means `adapted to mesh with said driving and drivengears, a bracket carrying said intermediate gear means,4 and means for interlocking -said bracket 4in operative position, said interlocking means including cooperating lug means adapted to be mutually engaged when the bracket is angularly moved lto a given position to hold said intermediate gear in meshed relation with said driving and driven gears, certain of said lug means being arcuate to retain the intermediate gear in meshed relation during at least a portion of the angular movement of said bracket away from saidgiven position.

22. In a grain drill, the combination with -a grain feed shaft and a driving shaft, of .driving mechanism for connecting said shafts comprising a driven gear operatively connected with said grain feed shaft, a driving gear operatively connected with said driving shaft, intermediate gear means adapted to mesh with said driving.

anddriven gears, a shiftably amounted' bracket carrying said intermediate geaif means and in'-A cluding portions disposed on opposite sides of one of said driving and driven gears, and means associated with said bracket providing for the removal and/ or reversal ofsald intermediate gear with respect lto said drivingand driven gears. f

23. In a grain drill, the combination with a grain feed shaft and -a-driving shaft, of driving mechanism forconnecting said shafts comprising a driven gearl operatively connected with said grain feed shaft, a driving gear operatively connected with said driving shaft, intermediate gear means adapted to mesh with said driving and driven gears, a shiftably mounted bracket carrying said intermediate gear means andincluding portions disposed on opposite sides of -one of said driving and driven gears and on opposite sides of said intermediate gear, and means associated with said bracket providing for the removal and/or reversal of said intermediatesaid driving shaft, intermediate gear means operatively connecting the driving and driven g gears, and afsupporting bracket for said gear means comprising a gear carrying portion and swinging movement relative thereto, said ,last mentioned portions including a memberon either .side of the gear on said one shaft and provid- -ing a journaled support for the bracket on said one shaft.

' .JOHN SCHAEFFER..

10o aportion journaled on, one of the shafts f or 

